Ckown-feeder fob bottle-capping- machines



s. KAYE. CROWN FEEDER FOR BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINES.

APPLlCATON FILED FEB. 7, 1916. 1,304,323. 4 Patented Mayzo, 1919.

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" S. KAYE.

'CROWN FEEDER FOR BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINES.4

APPLICATION FILED ms. I. I9Is.

Patented May 20, 1919.

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S. KAYE. CROWN FEEDER FOR'BOTTLE CAPPUNG MACHINES.-

APPLICATIUN FILED FEB.7.1916.

Patented May 20, 1919 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

S. KAYE. CRDWN FD FOR BOTTLE APPING MAGHINES.

' Mmmm min rm 1'. ma. [,304323 PatientedrMay 20, 1919.

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SAMUEL KAYE, F COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI.

CROWN-FEEDER FOR BOTTLE-CAPPING- MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20,1919.

Application led February 7, 1916. Serial No. 76,791.

To all whom t may concern.' f Be it known that I, SAMUEL KAYE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Lowndes and State of Mississippi, have invented` certain new and useful Improvements in Crown-Feeders for Bottle-Capping Machines, of which the'following is a specication.

My invention relates to an .improvement in crown-feeders for bottle-capping machines.

The primary object is to,automatically supply bottle crowns in proper position and with precision .to the capping-Enger, preparatory to its insertion by thenger from beneath up into the filling-head, as fully set forth in an accompanying application.v

My present invention consists in a vchute which vthe crowns t loosely, and down through which they are fed by gravity, a gate at the bottom of the chute which is raised and lowered at timed intervals tocontrol the escape of the crowns from the chute, in connection with a stationary guide, and a reciprocating carrier, which is guidedvin its movements by the stationary guide,'and having a slot throughout the major portion of its length. The edges of this slot are inclined so that the lowermost crown in the chute is permitted to rest undisturbed with one edge upon the stationary guide, supporting the crowns above while the gate is closed, and the carrier is moving throughout a portion of its backward travel, while the crown which has just left the chute is being held against backward movement by the lowermost crown, while the carrier is being withdrawn from beneath it, and another crown at the eXtreme-forward end of the carrier is being stripped therefrom and left in position to be removed by the oncoming cappin -ngen The return forward movement o the carrier conveys forward a crown left on its forward end to a point where it is deposited in position to be received by the next oncoming capping-finger. The gate is opened, just before the carrier has reached the end of its forward stroke, to release another crown from' the chute upon the upper fiat surface of the carrier, which is in position to receive it just back of the slot. Here it is held against returning with the carrier on its backward movement by the lowermost crown in the chute, until the carrier starts upon its return forward stroke, when it is in position to be pushed forward and deposited Y and left by the carrier. In the meantime, another crown has been released and deposited upon the upper flat surface of theI carrienand a third crown is resting vertically behind.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section in which the gate has nearly completed its upward movement, and the lowermost crown has started to leave the chute with its edge resting upon the table below, and another crown part way to its nal position;

Fig. 2 is a similar section, but showing the gate dropped to its normal position, and the crown (which in Fig. 1 had started to leave the chute) now restlng upon the upper flat surface ofthe carrier, and the preceding crown at the forward end just ready to be left suspended upon the spring-fingers preparatory to being removed by a cappingfinger; Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the carrier at the extreme limit of its backward stroke, with one crown resting upon the spring-fingers, another crown in position to be pushed forward with the forward stroke of the carrier, anda third (the lowermost crown in the chute) resting with its lower edge just back of the crown at the forward end' of the carrier;

Fig. 4 is a plan view;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation looking to the left, showing the gate lifted;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the carrier;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the gravity guard;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view t of the carrier and crown-chute; and

Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 `are details in differ-` ent positions showing the various positions of the crown during the progressive stages of its passage from the spring-fingers.

A, represents a stationary guide secured tov the upper end of a support 1, which is erected upon a suitable base 2.

A carrier 3 is slidably connected with the stationary guide A, and is boltedto'the upper end of a column 4, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4L and 6. This column'is preferably erected upon the upper end of a slide-bar 5, which moves through a guide-slot 6 in the base 2, see Fig. 5. The carrier 3 has a slot 7 extending centrally throughout the major portion of its length, the edges 8, 8, of which are inclined, and the forward ends 9, 9, of which edges are fashioned substantially into the shape of the edge of a crown, whereby to fit the crown when received on the flat forward end 10 of the carrier, as shown m Fig. 6.

5 The purpose of the slot 7 and the inclining edges 8, 8, is to allow clearance f or the lowermost crown in the chute when -lts edge is resting upon the stationary guide below, while the carrier is moving back, previous to its escape from the chute, as shown in Fig. 5.

A U-shaped frame 13 is secured at the upper end of the column 4, and disposed parallel with the carrier with which 1t travels, and at the forward ends thereof the 1nclined guide-tracks 14 are formed, as shown.

A shallow crown-chute 15 is erected vertically above the stationary guide A, its greatest width extending transversely thereof, and its depth being suihcient to nicely accommodate the crowns C, which descend therethrough, one thus being held above another, as illustrated in several of the views.

A vertically slidable gate 16 controls the lower end of the chute, where it 1s held slidafbly in place by guides 17. This gate 1s raised and lowered by a swinging-support 18, which is pivotally connected with the edges of the gate by screws or pins 19,

19. This swinging support extends around the sides and back of the chute, so that 1t has a limited forward swinging movement, whereas it may be swung backward out of the way.

At the lower end, it has the anti-friction rollers 21, and these rollers are in the path of the inclined guide-tracks 14, 14, on the forward end of the U-shaped frame 13, so that with the forward movement of the 4G carrier and U-shaped frame the rollers 21, 21, ride up upon the guide-track, and the gate is raised slowly, after which 1 t is suddenly dropped by the rollers passing over the rear end f of the guide-tracks 14, and

dropping to the horizontal surface of the U-shaped frame below. With the movement in the opposite direction, the backward movement of the carrier and U-shaped fra-me, the swinging-support 18 is brushed aside, swinging from the pivotal connection with the gate without aecting the position of the gate. Adjustable set-screws 20 regulate the fall of the gate.

A weighted gravity guard 23, shown in perspective in Fig. 7, is located in position to prevent the crowns from lifting or crowding out of place after leavingl the chute (see the left hand crown in Figs. 2 and A spring-actuated catch 24 strips the cap C at the forward end of the carrier from the end 10 thereof when the carrier moves back, or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, and leaves it resting between the spring-fingers 25 and the plate 22 above, preparatory to being removed therefrom 'by the approaching cap-finger F. The lowermost crown in the chute holds the -crown having left the chute from backward movement with the carrier, and

finally insures its dropping t0 the lower fiat surface 10 at the forward end of the carrier immediately in front of the ends 9, 9, when the carrier shall have moved to its extreme backward position, as is illustrated :first by Fig. 2, and then by Fig. 3.

In operation, let us start with the position shown in Fig. 1. The carrier is still moving forward, or to the right. The ends 9, 9, of the carrier are pushing the cap` C beneath the catch 24, and are about to leave it on the spring fingers 25, and between the latter and the plate 22. The vertically sliding gate 16 has been opened and a crown C has left the chute, it having been laid down upon the upper flat surface of the carrier. In Fig. 2, the carrier has moved still farther forward or in the direction indicated by the arrow. It has carried the right hand cap C to a position between the spring-fingers 25 and the plate 22, but has not yet deposited it. The cap is still resting upon the end 10 of the carrier, and the carrier has carried the cap C which in Fig. 1 had just left the chute) a little forward on the upper flat surface lof the carrier beneath the guard 23, as shown in Fig. 2.

The carrier has now reached its extreme forward movement, and is ready to return.

Fig. 3 shows it in its eXtreme backward movement, the tracks 14 have pushed the rollers 21 aside `out of their way, the catch 24 has stripped the right hand cap C from the end 10 of the carrier, leaving it between the spring-fingers and plate 22, and the cap at the lower end of the chute has prevented the left hand cap C from moving back with the carrier and caused it to drop in front of the ends 9, 9, of the carrier, (all of which is shown in Fig. 3) just as the carrier shall have reached its extreme 'backward movement. Now on the forward movement of the carrier, its several operations are repeated, cap C taking the place of cap C, which latter has just been removed by the 115 capping-linger F, and the gate opening to permit the escape of the lowermost cap of the chute. i

At the outer end of the plate 22, and over the ends of the spring-fingers 25, a 12D weighted iieXible tongue T depends in the path of the crown, as shown in Figs.

1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 to 12 inclusive, the function of the tongue being to furnish a slight resistance to the movement of 125 the crown. This resistance tends to eliectually seat the crown properly on the capping finger sleeve as the latter moves it from between the plate 22 and the spring-fingers 25. By referring to Figs. 9-to 12, the vari- 130 ous positions will be shown. In Fig. 9, the

cap has not reached the tongue, whereas in Fig. 10 it is in engagement therewith, and commencingto be resisted by it; in Fig. 11 it has been nearly removed from the springfmgers; and in Fig. 12 it has been entirely removed, but the weighted end of the tongue is still resting upon the crown to insure its being properly placed over the top of the capping-finger.

I claim:

1. A crown-feeder for bottle-capping machines comprising a `stationary guide having a comparatively narrow interior which receives the caps and presents them edgewise, a vertically-disposed crown-chute, a gate therefor, which opens and closes a portion only of one side of the chute, and a reciprocating carrier at the bottom of the chute which receives and places said crowns, and said reciprocating carrier having means which positively effects the opening and closing of the gate automatically.

2. In a crown-feeder for bottle-capping machines, the combination of a stationary guide, a crown-chute vertically erected thereon, a carrier fitted to and reciprocating in the guides, a gate slidably connected with the chute, a swinging support pivotally connected therewith and extending back of the chute to limit its forward swing, and a frame connected with the carrier and provided with inclined tracks in the path of the lower end of the swinging support for slowly raising and allowing it to suddenly drop 'by gravity at predetermined intervals.

3. In a crown-feeder for bottle capping machines, the combination of a stationary guide, a reciprocating carrier having a slot extending throughout the major portion of its length with fiat surfaces at the ends thereof, and provided with4 means fashioned to fit and engage the edge of a crown, spring-'fingers slightly beneath one end .of the stationary guide, adapted to receive the crown thereon when carried there by the carrier, a catch in position to cause the crown to be deposited upon the springfingers when the carrier is withdrawn from beneath the crown, a vertically-disposed chute having a vertically slidable gate, a swinging support pivotally connected with the gate and its sides connected together' back of the chute, thereby acting to limit the forward swing of the support, a frame connected with the carrier and carrying tracks. in position to move beneath said swinging support, whereby to cause a gradual lifting of the gate, and a sudden drop of the latter when the tracks pass from beneath the support, the latter being pushed aside by the tracks on the. return movement of the carrier.

4. In a crown-feeder for bottle capping machines, the combination of a stationary guide, a reciprocating carrier having :a slot extending throughout the major portion of its length with Hat surfaces at the ends thereof, and provided with means fashioned to lit` and engage the edge of a crown, springlingers slightly beneath one end of the stationary guide, adapted to receive the crown thereon when carried there by the carrier, a catch in position to cause the cro-wn to be deposited upon the spring-fingers when the carrier is withdrawn from beneath the crown, a vertically-disposed chute having a vertically slidable gate a swinging support, pivotally connected with the gate and its sides connected together back of the chute, thereby acting to limit the forward swing of the support, a frame connected with thecarrier and carrying tracks in position to move beneath said swinging support, whereby to cause a gradual lifting of the gate, and a chines, the combination of a stationary guide, a reciprocating carrier movable therein, a frame connectedwith the carrier and having guide-tracks thereon, a chute erected above the stationary guide to receive `and feed crowns, the carrier having an elongated slot throughout the major portion of its length with inclined sides, and having means at or near the forward end of the slot fashioned to fit the edge of a crown, a sliding gate, and a swinging support pivotally connected with the gate and limited by the chute in its forward movement, but unlimited in its backward movement, and its lower end depending in the path of the guide-tracks on the frame below, whereby to ride up and drop from the tracks when the carrier is moved in one direction, and be swung aside by the tracks when the carrier is moved in the opposite direction.

6. In a feeder for bottle capping machines, the combination of a stationary guide, a reciprocating carrier movable therein, a frame connected with the carrier and having guide-tracks thereon, a chute erected above the stationary guide to receive and feed crowns, the carrier having an elongated slot throughout the major portion of its length with inclined sides, and having means at or near the forward end of the slot fashioned to lit the edge of a crown, a sliding gate, a swinging support pivotally connected with the gate and limited by the chute in its forward movement, but unlimited in its backward movement, its lower end depending in the path of the guide-tracks on the frame below, whereby to ride up and drop from the tracks when the carrier is moved in one direction, and be swung aside by the tracks when the carrier is moved in the opposite direction, and means located respectively above and below the path of the carrier, one of which is to remove a crown therefrom, and the other to support and hold the crown, and a capping-linger for removing the crown from said support.

7. In a crown feeder for bottle capping machines, the combination of spring-ngers, a clamp, and means for depositing the crown at a point between the spring finger and clamp, a weighted flexible device resting in the path of the escaping crown, and means for removing the `crown from the springlingers against the resistance of the flexible device.

8. In a crown-feeder for bottle capping machines, the combination of spring-iingers, a clamp, and means for depositing` the crown at a point between the spring-finger and clamp, a weighted ieXible device resting over the outer ends of the spring-iingers and in the path of the escaping crown, and means for removing the crown from the springfingers against the resistance of the exible device.

In testimony whereo-f I ainxmy signature.

SAMIEL KAYE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

